A man and a woman found dead in a garage in Rainham have been named as Claire Dyson and Andrew Barley.

An inquest into their deaths has been opened today by the coroner.

Ms Dyson, who was 46, and Mr Barley, 41, lived in Richmond Road, Gillingham.

Their bodies were discovered on Sunday, September 28, when police were called to the garages at the back of homes in Winchester Way.

Detectives investigating the double tragedy have already said they are not treating it as suspicious.

The hearing was told police were called to the quiet cul-de-sac by a member of the public who was concerned about hearing a vehicle engine running in a locked garage.

Officers forced entry into the garage and made the grim discovery. Ambulance crews were also called, and paramedics confirmed the deaths.

The cause of the deaths will not be confirmed until further toxicology tests are carried out.

The pair were identified by a Detective Sergeant using photographs on Kent Police's file.

People living in the street said they heard screams when the bodies were found just before 1.30pm.

Police cordoned off the area for several hours and later made door-to-door inquiries.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said at the time: "The car was also reported to be in a beaten state which started rumours of suspicious circumstances, but it is more likely that this was caused by the attempts to free the pair upon discovery."

Prayers were said for the couple's families at nearby St Margaret's Church on Sunday.

A provisional date for the full inquest has been set for December 10.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 08457 909090 at any time.

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